Incorporating the Fluidic Sculpture exterior design with a whole new front and rear fascia layouts, the 2013 Santa Fe features two highly-advanced engines with gasoline direct injection technology -GDI and a host of safety and luxury features.

The new Santa Fe LWB (long-wheel-base) rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase. With its overall length of 193.1 inches, the Santa Fe LWB is 8.5 inches longer than the Santa Fe Sport.

It is also 0.2 inch wider and 0.4 inches higher (74.2-inch and 66.5 inche, respectively) than its 5-passanger sibling. Additionally, the 7-seat Hyundai Santa Fe also offers a more spacious cabin with larger cargo volume.

Santa Fe engine & transmission

At this point, the new Santa Fe is the sole mid-size SUV on the market that offers a standard direct injection V6 engine.

The highly-acclaimed 3,3L V6 engine, which can also be found under the hood of a 2012 Azera near-luxury sedan, generates 290 horsepower and maximum torque of 252 lb-ft at 5,200 rpm.

Mated to the Santa Fe’s engine is the carmaker’s in-house developed 6-speed automatic transmission which offers smooth and quick shifts that result in improved real-world fuel economy.

All Santa Fe models also have an Active ECO System which further improves the vehicle’s fuel economy figures. According to Hyundai, the system modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response and that increases the mpg numbers by 5 percent.

The 3-row Santa Fe SUV rides on a new platform built from a light-weight steel and materials. It is 320 pounds lighter than the outgoing Veracruz (a vehicle it replaces) and, for a comparisson, 239 pounds lighter than the comparable Nissan Pathfinder.

Comments

Early reports said the LWB Santa Fe would have ventilated front seats. Looking at the recent literature, they aren’t listed. After having them in the Optima, that would be a deal breaker. I’d probably go with the Sorento if the Santa Fe doesn’t have them. Unfortunetly, the Santa Fe looks SO much better.

Again, I’m hopeful that the new Santa Fe has a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, but that isn’t a deal breaker.

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